A New "Bottom-Up" Framework for Teaching Chemical BondingTami Levy Nahum, Rachel Mamlok-Naaman, Avi Hofstein, and Leeor KronikThis article presents a general framework for bonding that can be presented at different levels of sophistication depending on the student's level and needs. The pedagogical strategy for teaching this model is a "bottom-up" one, starting with basic principles and ending with specific properties.Levy Nahum, Tami; Mamlok-Naaman, Rachel; Hofstein, Avi; Kronik, Leeor. J. Chem. Educ.2008, 85, 1680.

Physical Chemistry at the Nanometer ScaleK. W. HippsAn overview is provided of the Petroleum Research Fund sponsored summer school, "Physical Chemistry at the Nanometer Scale." Several articles resulting from the school (and printed in this issue) are introduced and placed in perspective from the standpoint of how they might be used in the undergraduate curriculum.Hipps, K. W. J. Chem. Educ.2005, 82, 693.

Materials Science |

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Nanotechnology |

Surface Science

Copper Metal from Malachite circa 4000 B.C.E.Gordon T. Yee, Jeannine E. Eddleton, and Cris E. JohnsonThe experiment starts with a naturally occurring ore, malachite, essentially pure Cu2CO3(OH)2, which is readily available at modest cost in bead form from jewelry stores. Using only a Bunsen burner, a porcelain crucible, and a charcoal briquette, the experiment demonstrates two steps in the ancient processing of copper ore: roasting and reduction. The product is a shiny copper metal bead that can then be hammered, polished, and shown to be electrically conductive. Yee, Gordon T.; Eddleton, Jeannine E.; Johnson, Cris E. J. Chem. Educ.2004, 81, 1777.

Elements of Curriculum Reform: Putting Solids in the FoundationArthur B. EllisUntil recently, solids were a relatively small part of the chemistry curriculum. Helping to close this particular gap between the research and educational enterprises was the objective of the Ad Hoc Committee for Solid-State Instructional Materials, formed in 1990.Ellis, Arthur B. J. Chem. Educ.1997, 74, 1033.

Materials Science |

Solid State Chemistry |

Nanotechnology |

Magnetic Properties

A Simple Laboratory Demonstration of ElectrochromismBertil ForslundA laboratory exercise in which students are asked to construct an electrochromic cell, consisting of a thin, transparent layer of WO3 on a glass plate with a thin, transparent, and conducting surface coating of doped SnO2.Forslund, Bertil. J. Chem. Educ.1997, 74, 962.

Electrochemistry |

Materials Science |

Solid State Chemistry

A Quantitative Conductance ApparatusDanny Burns and Don LewisCircuitry, electrode configuration and calibration procedures are described for a conductance device. An alternative construction of the circuit is given allowing computer capture of the instrument response. Burns, Danny; Lewis, Don. J. Chem. Educ.1997, 74, 570.

An introduction to principles of the solid state. Extrinsic semiconductorsWeller, Paul F.Includes a previous analogy is extended to cover n- and p-type semiconductors and discussions of the concepts of donors and acceptors, donor and acceptor activation energies and the corresponding charge carrier production at various temperatures, and the effects of the presence of both donors and acceptors.Weller, Paul F. J. Chem. Educ.1971, 48, 831.

Solid State Chemistry |

Solids |

Semiconductors

Sealed tube experimentsCampbell, J. A.Lists and briefly describes a large set of "sealed tube experiments," each of which requires less than five minutes to set-up and clean-up, requires less than five minutes to run, provides dramatic results observable by a large class, and illustrates important chemical concepts.Campbell, J. A. J. Chem. Educ.1970, 47, 273.

Thermodynamics |

Crystals / Crystallography |

Solids |

Liquids |

Gases |

Rate Law |

Equilibrium

The structure of solid aluminum chlorideBigelow, M. JeromeMany general chemistry textbooks have been vague or mistaken with regards to the structure of solid aluminum chloride.Bigelow, M. Jerome J. Chem. Educ.1969, 46, 495.